Ask the Experts

Garden City Hospital is here to help. Now you can browse, search and view answers to frequently asked health questions. Have a personal health question you need answered? We can do that too! Simply submit your question and we will get it to the appropriate GCH health expert for an answer.

Ask the Experts is for general information purposes only. It should never be thought of as medical advice or treatment, nor should it be used in place of a thorough medical screening or an exam by a licensed medical professional. Medical advice should be sought from an emergency room, urgent care center, or licensed medical professional. If you need help finding a physician, use our online physician directory to locate a Garden City Hospital Health Expert that’s right for you.

Check the Sunday issue or your local O&E for more answers from the GCH Health Experts.

Note: Questions are selected both randomly and based on relevance or frequency. Not all submitted questions will be answered. Answers will be posted on GCH.org and not supplied directly to the submitter. To maintain personal privacy, we do not require any personal information be given to submit questions.

Q

My husband recently experienced a “mini-stroke”, and was told it could possibly happen again. At the time, he did not even realize he was having a stroke. What exactly is a mini-stroke? Does it mean the next one could possibly be a full-blown stroke?

A

First, I hope your husband is up and feeling better now. A “mini-stroke”, or transient ischemic attack (TIA), should be thought of as a warning stroke. It is a temporary blockage ... read more

First, I hope your husband is up and feeling better now. A “mini-stroke”, or transient ischemic attack (TIA), should be thought of as a warning stroke. It is a temporary blockage of an artery leading to the brain. Symptoms of TIA last less than 30 minutes usually and are very similar to those of a stroke, but unlike a stroke, when a TIA is over, it usually causes no permanent neurological damage. If you have had a TIA, there is a high probability that you will go on to have a full stroke.

If you’re concerned someone you know might be having a stroke, react quickly and think FA.S.T.:

• F (Face) Ask the person to smile. Does one side of their face droop?

• A (Arms) Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

• S (Speech) Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?

• T (Time) If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.

The need for speed is critical if you suspect someone is having a stroke. Because a stroke isn’t a single-moment event, it continues to damage the brain as time ticks away. The sooner you seek medical attention, the less damage is likely to occur.

Choosing a hospital that is a “Certified Stroke Center” helps shift the statistics to the plus side, and GCH has one of the best. GCH staff members quickly assess what the patient is going through and determine the best way to stop, and even reverse, the situation. TIME IS BRAIN!

We’ve only got one brain. And – excuse the pun – but we need to use our heads to protect it. If you’re older than 45, overweight, smoke, have high blood pressure, hypertension or a family history of stroke, see your physician to determine if you’re at risk and what can be done about it.